Health experts raise alarm after CDC changes hep B vaccine recommendation

(WAND) - The CDC recently changed the recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination in babies. For more than 30 years, standard practice was for babies to have the vaccine within 24 hours of birth.

They now recommend only giving the vaccine at birth to infants whose mothers test positive for the virus. Many medical experts disagree with the change.

"Delaying the birth dose would increase infants' risk of hepatitis B infection during that very critical period," Dr. Angela Ulrich said.

Ulrich is an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor at the University of Minnesota. She analyzes research to inform disease prevention and control policies. Her research finds that delaying the hep B vaccine at birth puts infants at risk for life-threatening illnesses.

"Without the birth dose, 90% of infected infants will go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, and 25% or a quarter of those will die prematurely from cirrhosis or liver cancer," Ulrich said.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices was established in the 1960s to provide expert medical advice to the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the previous committee in 2024. Dr. Rochelle Walensky is the former Director of the CDC, who collaborated with Ulrich on the research. Walensky said changing this recommendation is undermining the nation's vaccine program.

"If your doctors are not asking you if you want it for your child, please, please, ask them to vaccinate your child with the hepatitis B vaccine," Walensky said.

Some ACIP members argue that universal vaccination at birth is unnecessary. In September, the committee voted to recommend that all pregnant women be tested for hep B, which is covered by insurance.

Ultimately, the decision for hep B vaccine is for the parents to make. The CDC encourages parents and health care providers to consider vaccine benefits and risks.

More Coverage:

IDOC's Helping Paws Program provides healing on both sides of the leash

Sangamon County continues to struggle with accidental overdose deaths

Lexi Meyer scores 1,000 career points as MacArthur wins at home

1 of 2 Springfield teens charged with deadly 2024 shooting pleads guilty